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The annual service day, previously named Service Blitz, has become a tradition that marks the beginning of a new academic year at IC. First-year students, transfer students, student leaders, faculty and staff from IC completed a variety of service projects. Their community projects included painting, landscaping, general cleaning and other tasks.

Ryan Flynn ā€™15, director of community-engaged learning, said the annual service day went through a rebranding and was expanded to help students conceptualize their philanthropic service.

ā€œThe day of service has become an integral part of the first-year experience for students,ā€ Flynn said. ā€œThe community service component of the experience is unchanged, but this year we added a lecture series following the event to give students context to their service and deepen the community connections they made that day.ā€

¶¶Ņõpro has been nationally recognized in recent years for its sustained commitment to service, notably earning a top ranking in the Midwest for community service based learning by Washington Monthly.

ā€œIC prepares students to go on to lead meaningful lives of leadership and service, and the Hilltop Day of Service introduces students to the idea of serving their community before they set foot in their first class,ā€ Flynn said. ā€œItā€™s a great opportunity for them to get to know Jacksonville and learn about the impact they can have during their four years on campus ā€” and beyond as alumni.ā€

Among the many Hilltop Day of Service volunteer sites for 2021 were PAWS, Presbyterian Day Care, Woodlawn Farm and the Morgan County Fairgrounds.

For more information contact Ryan Flynn ā€™15, director of community-engaged learning, at 217.245.3630 or ryan.flynn@ic.edu.